Mediterranean Sea Acidification in a changing climate (MedSeA)

The MedSeA project assesses uncertainties, risks and thresholds related to the acidification of Mediterranean seas, at organismal, ecosystem and economic scales. It also promotes communication of the acquired scientific knowledge to a wider audience of reference users, while suggesting policy measures for adaptation and mitigation that will vary from one region to another.

In comparison to other areas of the world ocean, there has as yet been no concerted effort to study acidification in the Mediterranean, which is fundamental to the social and economic conditions of more than 130 million people living along its coastlines. MedSeA addresses this lack of knowledge, providing projections of Mediterranean acidification under the influence of climate change, as well as associated economic impacts. Increasing understanding of Mediterranean acidification will help us to understand how its effects will impact on ecosystems and communities, as well as aiding forecasting and future management strategies.

Within the MedSeA project, we investigate the impact of ocean acidification on the nitrogen cycle in surface waters of the Mediterranean and how this will, in turn, affect micro-organisms and other minute life forms.